Predicting Every Team’s MVP: Region II-2A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Don't look now, but here comes the 2026 football season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Spring practice is already underway across the state, and that means 7-on-7 is right around the corner and fall camp is within sight. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Again this year, we're taking a shot at predicting MVPs for each team around the state. Region II-2A is a new-look league, with some 3A teams coming down to join traditional 2A squads thanks to realignment. Here's a look at some of the guys we think can shine in their roles in the region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>CHESNEE EAGLES</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1809232' first='Evan-Reece' last='Lawter']</strong> QB, 2027 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lawter's got a big arm, but more importantly than that, he's got a big body. The Eagles' offense uses that to their advantage, and he rushed for more than 1,100 yards and 17 TDs last year, a lot of it on hard-nosed gains between the tackles. He threw for 1,000 more and seven more scores, and the tough, fullback-like mentality he brings to the position sets him apart and is going to serve the Eagles well in their new region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19173560/6919ec791e12c59908cd74ce' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a00e65540fa5"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>CLINTON RED DEVILS</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1603990' first='Angelo' last='Cromer'] </strong>RB/DB, 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cromer was third in rushing on a run-heavy offense behind a pair of talented seniors. So, it's definitely his offensive backfield to lead this season. In addition, he played in all 13 games on defense for Clinton, making 30 tackles, knocking down two passes, and blocking a kick. He's fast and he's strong, and he's an absolute matchup nightmare on both sides of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>LANDRUM CARDINALS</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1715570' first='JP' last='Branyon']</strong> TE/LB, 2029</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Branyon was an eye-opener for the Cardinals last season. He played well on both sides of the ball, notching 39 tackles as an LB. But what's got our attention, and what's got Branyon penciled in here, is his versatility on offense. He can play H-Back, TE, and RB, and he can do those things from a variety of positions on the line and in the backfield. In a tough defensive region that's going to demand a couple of offensive wrinkles, Branyon can be just the flexible guy the Cardinals need.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/26760012/69154e0a4f38d669b7dd68df' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a00e65540ff0"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>MOUNTAIN VIEW PREP STARS</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1654910' first='Makorean' last='Anderson-Wallington']</strong> QB, 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's really no way to overstate the importance of a 3,000/1,000 guy, and that's exactly what you're dealing with in Anderson (pictured). There's not a throw he can't make, and there also doesn't seem to be a jam that his legs can't get him out of. Whether it's scrambles or designed runs, he's just as dangerous on the move as he is throwing the ball. He accounted for 58 total touchdowns to go with his 4,000-yards, and he's back to lead a talented Stars offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/26161815/68d2f4f01d1e649e74170317' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a00e6554100e"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>SOUTHSIDE CHRISTIAN SABRES</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1817908' first='Max' last='Breit']</strong> QB, 2029</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Sabres drop to the 2A ranks from 3A, and they're doing it with a loaded squad. Any number of guys could occupy this spot, but we're going to go with QB [player_tooltip player_id='1817908' first='Max' last='Breit']. That's in part because of what Breit's already done. Playing against squads that were nearly always bigger, Breit was thrown into the fire as a freshman and responded in the best possible way. He threw for 1,200 yards, was third on the team in rushing, and showed a steady presence for his age. Now he's got the most important thing a sophomore QB can have - 10 games of experience and a wealth of weapons around him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/22572502/691e58d8502c7bce3e08d28d' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a00e65541025"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>WOODRUFF WOLVERINES</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1036753' first='Aiden' last='Gibson']</strong> RB, 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How about one of the most complete backs in the state in this spot? That's exactly what Gibson is. He's plenty good on the ground, fast and strong and a powerful back who finishes runs. He rushed for more than 1,600 yards last season, with 21 touchdowns and an average of 146 yards per game. But what sets Gibson apart is how good he is at things that don't involve running the ball. He's a good, physical blocker and he's an exceptional receiver out of the backfield, catching the ball with his hands and looking to turn upfield as quickly as possible. He averaged nearly nine yards per offensive touch as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20361133/691b35eade3053ffde734e4d' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a00e6554103c"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->